Bike ride from Lands End to John O’Groats for charity - on one gear

A CYCLIST will ride nearly 1,000 miles to raise money for charity – and if that wasn't hard enough, he's doing it on a bike with only one gear.

Kevin Croft, of Bradford Avenue, Cleethorpes, set off on Sunday for the Deloitte Ride Across Britain – and he has already raised more than £1,300 for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

The 48-year-old claims he is "not much of a rider" yet he's cycling the 960 miles from Lands End to John O'Groats – with a total of 20,000 metres of ascent – on a bike with just one gear.

On top of that, the professional diver who works on oil rigs off the coast of Saudi Arabia has done most of his training on an exercise bike as he spends only a third of his life on dry land.

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Mr Croft said: "I'm obviously quite apprehensive having done most of my training on the exercise bike.

"You never know how your body will cope with the real thing."

He added: "I did think about getting a new bike but I couldn't justify it so I'll just have to brave it with the one gear."

Mr Croft joined 700 cyclists and 160 back-up crew members for the Deloitte Ride Across Britain, which finishes on Sunday.

The ride is broken down into nine 106-mile stages and during the 960 miles in total, he has estimated that his wheels will turn 726,928 times.

However, Mr Croft remains confident he will complete the ride.

He said: "At 48 years old I feel as fit as I ever have in my whole life."

And it's partly due to the hard work Mr Croft has put in on dry land over the last couple of weeks.

Now, Mr Croft raves about cycling the Lincolnshire Wolds, and added: "I was very worried having mainly trained on an exercise bike but that cycle across the Lincolnshire Wolds has bettered my chances no end.

"When you know you can handle that ride then it gives you a real mental edge.

"It has really set me up well for the event and I want to tell everyone what a great place it is to ride."

If you would like to sponsor Mr Croft, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/kevincroft.

Meanwhile, to check on Mr Croft's progress, visit his blog at www.726928turns.wordpress.com.

If you want more information on the Delloitte Ride Across Britain, including how to register an interest for next year's event, visit www.rideacrossbritain.com